Election Notes: Republicans Rally, Could Fourth Ward Voters See Deja Vu and More

There has been a flurry of pre-election activity in Westfield with candidates fighting to get heard as voters get ready to enter the voting booths and decide who will lead the town, county and state for the coming years. Here is an overview of election related news over the last few days.

Skibitsky and Ticket Rally

Drivers on East Broad Street Sunday were surprised to see a drum line and cheerleaders on the lawn of a law firm cheering on the Republican ticket. Mayor Andy Skibitsky hosted a pep rally for his re-election campaign and that of his Council running mates, incumbent Vicki Kimmins and newcomers Sam Della Fera, Tom Delaney and Keith Loughlin.

The event featured catered food, high school cheerleaders leading cheers for the ticket, a drum line attracting attention on the lawn and a DJ spinning music in the back. Skibitsky said not to read anything into the musical selections, which included "Hit Me With Your Best Shot."

While Republicans Rally, Democrats Knock on Doors

While Skibitsky and his running mates were rallying on East Broad Street, Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Brennan and his running mates, incumbents Dave Haas and Tom Bigosinski and newcomer Janice Siegel knocked on doors and handed out literature around town. Brennan said he preferred the door-knocking approach, saying he could talk with voters, instead of holding a rally.

Could Fourth Ward Voters Experience Deja Vu?

In the open 2005 race for a Fourth Ward Council seat, Democrat Tom Bigosinski bested Republican Eric Leuthold by one vote to claim the seat. Locked in one of the most competitive races in town for re-election, could lightning strike twice and see one vote decide the race between Bigosinski and Republican Keith Loughlin? While the odds say no, anything is possible. In fact it's happened before.

In a 2001 race for a seat in the Niagara County Legislature, Democrat William Davignon beat Republican Mike Carney by one vote. Coming back to challenge Davignon in 2003, Carney and Republicans plunged a lot of money and resources into the race to represent North Tonawanda. The end result: Davignon won again, by one vote. Davignon later stepped down from the Legislature and Carney would lose a race to be North Tonawanda's mayor and then turn his sights away from elective office.

Bigosinski Lawn Signs Appear Around Fourth Ward

Driving around Westfield, a resident could be forgiven if they thought the only election was in the Fourth Ward. Democratic incumbent Tom Bigosinski has unveiled blue and gold lawn signs around the ward, combating with Republican challenger Keith Loughlin's blue and orange signs. Bigosinski was not planning lawn signs until Loughlin unveiled his.

Neylan Active in Women for Christie

Councilwoman Joann Neylan has been a constant presence at all Westfield campaign stops for the Republican statewide ticket. Neylan has been serving as the regional head of Women for Christie. In this role, she has been responsible for helping to coordinate Christie events in Union County, along with working to engage women in the campaign's activities. One of the roles has been weekly phone banks for Women for Christie members, which have made thousands of calls each evening when they are held. Neylan is not alone from Union County in being involved with the group: former Summit Common Council President P. Kelly Hatfield is a statewide co-chair.

The group is one of several affinity groups created by both the Christie and Corzine campaigns to engage particular voting blocks. The concept was used prominently by President Obama last year with such groups as Young Lawyers for Obama, Independent Music Lovers for Obama and Flight Attendants for Obama. Neither gubernatorial candidate has engaged flight attendants in a special group.

Guadagno Returns to Union County and visits Kenilworth

Republican lieutenant governor nominee Kim Guadagno returned to Union County Sunday but did not appear in Westfield. Instead, she dropped by a county GOP rally in Kenilworth. The event was organized to rev up the party faithful in advance of Tuesday's vote. Guadagno, the Monmouth County sheriff, has been a frequent presence in town recently, making three stops in the week and a half before the election.

Christie Campaigns at Cranford Diner

Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie stopped by the Rustic Mill Diner in Cranford Saturday morning as part of his statewide bus tour. The stop had originally been planned for the Westfield Diner before being moved to Cranford's diner. Christie campaigned at the Westfield Diner early last month. Westfield Councilwoman Joann Neylan, a regional chair of Women for Christie, attended the event.

County Republicans Make Their Presence Felt in Westfield

The county Republican ticket made a cameo appearance Sunday in town, with campaign literature for the ticket appearing on car windshields in the parking lot behind Starbucks. The literature promoting the freeholder candidacies of Garwood Councilman Anthony Sytko and Fanwood attorney Nicole Cole, along with surrogate candidate Art Zapolski of Linden was distributed while the lot was crowded with moviegoers.

Election Night Parties

The Westfield Democrats will be gathered at the Antonelli home at 644 Kimball Avenue to watch the returns come in.

Westfield Republicans will be spending the evening at the Echo Lake Country Club, along with Assembly members Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) and Nancy Munoz (R-Summit).

County Democrats will be in Mountainside at L'Affaire on Route 22.

County Republicans will be joining other Republicans at Sun Tavern on South Avenue in Fanwood.

The Corzine/Weinberg campaign will be watching the returns at the East Brunswick Hilton.

The Christie/Guadagno campaign will be watching the returns at the Hilton in Parsippany.